Track With Near Zero Latency While Running Your UAD Plug-ins

Complete every stage of the music-production process with the Universal Audio Apollo Duo FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready audio interface. With 8 analog ins, 14 analog outs, and 10 channels of digital I/O, this duo-core version of UA's Apollo interface delivers the connections and processing power you need to track, mix, and monitor your audio in real time through UAD's incredible collection of analog emulation plug-ins. Compatible with both Mac and PC, the Apollo Duo gives you the sound and feel of analog combined with the convenience of digital.

Learn more with this video from Universal Audio:

Superior Sound Quality

In making the Apollo Duo, Universal Audio translated its many years of analog hardware expertise into a hybrid design that works well for today's computer-based musicians. High-end 192 kHz/24-bit converters, analog circuitry, and DC-coupled outputs come together in this interface to provide you with extremely low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and an exceptionally high dynamic range.

You'll Dig the DSP

With duo-core processors on board, the Apollo Duo interface takes the processing load off your host computer, so you can record and mix through UAD Powered Plug-Ins with as low as sub-2ms latency. Quickly monitor, audition, and "print" audio using emulation plug-ins of classic analog amps, tape machines, EQs, and more from the likes of Neve, Studer, Manley, and Lexicon. To get you started right away, the Apollo Duo comes with the UAD Analog Classics plug-in bundle, including the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer.

Thunderbolt: The New Face of Connectivity

Install a dual-port Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately), and get complete compatibility with Intel's high-bandwidth Thunderbolt technology for Mac. Adding Thunderbolt to the Apollo Duo means you get improved performance at high sample rates, greater UAD plug-in instances, and reduced UAD plug-in latency in your DAW versus the Apollo's standard FireWire connection. There's nothing wrong with FireWire; Thunderbolt is just a newer technology that's better equipped to handle your gear. Providing way more bandwidth than what FireWire can offer, Thunderbolt makes it easy to connect multiple devices -- such as processors, hard drives, and additional computer monitors -- in series with the Apollo Duo and be rewarded with fast, flawless performance every time.

Deeper Integration with Cubase, Live, Pro Tools, and Other DAWs

Thanks to Core Audio and ASIO drivers, UA's Apollo Duo is compatible with all major DAWs, from Avid Pro Tools to Apple Logic Pro to Steinberg Cubase. The Console application (included) and companion Console Recall plug-in (VST/AU/RTAS) provide control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings within your individual DAW sessions, no matter when you decide to go back to them. Recall your settings months, even years later. With the Console Recall plug-in, you get instant access to all of the interface's crucial monitoring and metering functionality, without ever having to leave your DAW.

Flexible Signal Routing and Processing Options Via Console

As the Apollo Duo's primary software interface, the Console application has an efficient, intuitive analog console-style design that provides real-time tracking and monitoring with UAD Powered Plug-Ins. You can control all of the Apollo Duo's front-panel hardware features with this Console app, even if your Apollo hardware is out of reach. For the ultimate in flexibility, UAD Powered Plug-Ins can be inserted into any or all Console inputs or auxiliary returns, meaning that you can track audio through high-end plug-ins from Neve, Manley, Studer, Lexicon and the rest right on input.

During the mixing and mastering stages of your project, the Apollo Duo's onboard UAD-2 Duo processors can run the entire UAD Powered Plug-Ins library -- just like a standard UAD-2 DSP Accelerator -- and significantly take the load off your computer CPU.

Hard-to-Beat Hardware Design

With this audio interface, you can do almost all your tweaking from the front panel, which hosts the most commonly used features, like Preamp and Monitor level knobs, channel selection, mic pad and low cut, phantom power, and even dual headphone outs with independent level control. What's more, Smart Hi-Z inputs on the front panel detect when you've connected your guitar or bass, and they automatically enable hardware and software monitoring.

So you don't lose audio resolution when you adjust gain, the Apollo Duo's Mic inputs and Monitor outputs are digitally controlled analog. And so you always know where you stand with this Duo, the interface sports high-resolution and high-contrast metering that you can see from any angle.

If you feel like stepping away from the computer, enjoy using the standalone Apollo Duo's audio connections and last-used DSP mixer settings, without a computer in sight.

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 877-698-2834

Product Description

The Universal Audio Apollo Duo is the duo core version of the first professional, high-resolution computer audio interface that delivers the sound, feel, and flow of analog recording. This 18 x 24 FireWire/Thunderbolt- ready interface combines genuine UA analog design with class-leading 24-bit/192 kHz sound quality and onboard Realtime UAD Processing. Using Apollo, music producers and performers can finally track audio through a range of classic UAD analog emulation plug-ins from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon and more in real time, and with a sleek, elegant workflow on both Mac and PC.*

Class-Leading 24-bit/192 kHz Sound Quality

Designed to play a central role in a modern Mac- or PC-based studio, Apollo incorporates a true no compromise approach to audio quality. Building upon decades of UAs analog hardware heritage, it offers extremely high-resolution sonics, with the lowest THD and highest dynamic range in its class. Apollos premium mic preamps, top-end converters and UAs meticulous attention to circuit design translate into greater accuracy and depth in your recordings, from tracking and overdubbing, to mixing and mastering.

Realtime UAD Plug-In Processing for Tracking, Mixing and Mastering

While Apollos natural sound is exceedingly open and transparent, it can quickly deliver a wide range of classic analog tones and color via its Realtime UAD Processing. Available with either DUO Core or QUAD Core processing onboard, this onboard DSP Acceleration allows for recording and mixing through UAD Powered Plug-Ins with as low as sub-2ms latency so that producers can quickly monitor, audition, and print audio using classic analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more.**

Want to place multiple 1176 compressors on your drum inputs, or record vocals through a classic Neve 1073 EQ, or even track the entire band through a Studer A800 tape machine in real time? No problem. With Realtime UAD processing, Apollos sonic options are virtually endless.

Thunderbolt I/O: The Next Generation of Connectivity

Apollo offers compatibility with Intel's Thunderbolt technology, as found on the current iMacs, MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, and next-generation PCs. Available via a user-installable dual-port Thunderbolt I/O Option Card (sold separately), Thunderbolt provides lower latency, reduced audio buffer size, improved performance, and greater UAD plug-in instances versus FireWire. And because Thunderbolt offers many times the bandwith of FireWire, it allows music producers to connect numerous devices in series with the Apollo interface including hard drives, processors, and additional computer monitors all with fast, flawless performance.

Deeper Integration with Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and more

Apollos Core Audio and ASIO* drivers ensure compatibility with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more. Beyond this basic compatibility, Apollos included Console application and companion Console Recall plug-in (VST/AU/RTAS) provide control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings within individual DAW sessions, even months and years later. Read more about Apollos included software here.

Elegant Hardware Design and Workflow

One key feature of Apollo isnt really a feature at all. Its the numerous design details that give you a fast, natural workflow and better results. There are physical front-panel controls for all the most commonly used features, including Preamp and Monitor level knobs, channel selection, mic pad and low cut, phantom power, and even dual headphone outs with independent level control. Smart Hi-Z inputs on the front panel detect when you've connected your guitar or bass, and automatically enable hardware and software monitoring.

Sonically, Apollo's Mic inputs and Monitor outputs are digitally controlled analog, so you don't lose audio resolution when you adjust gain. High-resolution/high-contrast metering, derived from UAs legendary 2192 interface, is designed to be viewable at nearly any angle. Finally, standalone operation means that you can use Apollos audio connections, and last-used DSP mixer settings, even without a computer connected.

Console Application and Console Recall Plug-In (VST/AU/RTAS)

The Console application is Apollo's primary software interface. Its intuitive, analog console-style design provides ultra-fast ("realtime") tracking and monitoring with UAD Powered Plug-Ins. Additionally, all of Apollo's front-panel hardware features can be controlled using this Console app, even if the Apollo hardware is out of reach of the engineer.

Apollo's Realtime UAD processing gives you the ability to place UAD Powered Plug-Ins on all inputs, tracking with less than 2ms latency -- a feature not found in any other interface. Specifically, UAD Powered Plug-Ins can be inserted into any/all Console inputs and/or auxiliary returns (within the constraints of Apollo's onboard DSP), for the ultimate sonic experience. For the first time, music producers can track audio through award-winning plug-ins from Neve, Manley, Studer, Lexicon and more, right on input.

When its time to mix or master, Apollo's onboard UAD-2 DUO or UAD-2 QUAD processors can run the entire UAD Powered Plug-Ins library, just like a standard UAD-2 DSP Accelerator. In this way, owning an Apollo not only makes for better-sounding tracking and mixing sessions, but reduced strain on your host computer CPU.
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The Console app can be used simultaneously with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Live, Performer and more, giving you very flexible signal routing and processing options. And complete Console setups can be saved as presets -- or even saved "within" your sessions using the VST/AU/RTAS-compatible Console Recall plug-in -- for full recall, even months and years after you last opened your session.

In simple terms, the Console Recall plug-in provides access to all of Apollo's crucial monitoring and metering functionality, without having to leave your DAW of choice.

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A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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